WorkSafe Bulletin

Annual inspection and certificationrequirements for mobile cranes andboom trucks

Mobile cranes and boom trucks have the potential for catastrophic equipment failure that can cause serious injury or death In one incident a worker was fatally injured when a crane collapsed due to the failure of a critical mechanical component To reduce the risk mobile cranes and boom trucks must be inspected and certified annually An important part of the inspection and certification process involves an assessment of a machinersquos critical components This bulletin aims to ensure that both machine owners and certifying engineers understand their responsibilities in the inspection and certification process

Responsibilities The owner of a mobile crane or boom truck is responsible for ensuring that the machinersquos annual inspection and certification are completed The inspection must assess all critical components (ie the structural mechanical and control system components that affect the safe operation of the equipment)

The certifying engineer is responsible for ensuring that qualified persons inspect assess and (where necessary) repair the machinersquos critical components in accordance with the certifying engineerrsquos instructions

Factors the certifying engineer considers The certifying engineer determines the extent of individual component inspections including assessment testing or dismantling

Some factors relevant in making these determinations include

bull The manufacturerrsquos specifications and instructions

bull The requirements of the applicable standards safety codes and regulations

bull Previous inspection history and results

WS 2019-05 WorkSafeBC Prevention Information Line 6042763100 or toll-free 1888621SAFE (7233)

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bull The age and general condition of the equipment

bull Heavy-duty vs light use of the equipment and any known incidents since the last certification

bull Known reliability or component problems

bull The available inspection and maintenance records

bull The certifying engineerrsquos knowledge of the overall effectiveness of the ownerrsquos inspection and maintenance program

Inspection by qualified persons Persons with appropriate qualifications for performing the structural mechanical and controls inspections include

bull A person qualified to CSA Standard W1782 Certification of Welding Inspectors (for visual weld inspection)

bull A person qualified to CANCGSB Standard 489712 Non-Destructive Testing mdash Qualification and Certification of NDT Personnel (for non-destructive testing)

bull A licensed heavy-duty mechanic (for mechanicalhydraulic and electrical inspection)

Other qualifications based on training education and experience may also be appropriate

Certification and documentation Certification must be done by a professional engineer who is licensed to practise in British Columbia

The certification document must state the following

bull The equipment is safe for use

bull The structural mechanical and control elements of the equipment have been inspected in accordance with the manufacturerrsquos specifications and the requirements of the applicable design and safety standards

The certification document must also state the names of the qualified person(s) who carried out the inspection work

Regulation requirements For requirements related to annual inspection and certification of mobile cranes or boom trucks see the following sections of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and its related guidelines (available on worksafebccom)

bull Section 1471 Annual inspection

bull Sections 142(1) and 142(5) Standards

bull Section 14161 Certification following misadventure

bull Guideline G1471 Mobile crane and boom truck annual inspections

Applicable standards bull CSA Standard Z150-1998 Safety Code on

Mobile Cranes (CSA Communities account required for access)

bull ANSI Standard ANSIASME B305-2004 Mobile and Locomotive Cranes

bull ANSI Standard ANSIASME B3022-2005 Articulating Boom Cranes

For more information BC Association for Crane Safety (BC Crane Safety)

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bull The age and general condition of the equipment

bull Heavy-duty vs light use of the equipment and any known incidents since the last certification

bull Known reliability or component problems

bull The available inspection and maintenance records

bull The certifying engineerrsquos knowledge of the overall effectiveness of the ownerrsquos inspection and maintenance program

Inspection by qualified persons Persons with appropriate qualifications for performing the structural mechanical and controls inspections include

bull A person qualified to CSA Standard W1782 Certification of Welding Inspectors (for visual weld inspection)

bull A person qualified to CANCGSB Standard 489712 Non-Destructive Testing mdash Qualification and Certification of NDT Personnel (for non-destructive testing)

bull A licensed heavy-duty mechanic (for mechanicalhydraulic and electrical inspection)

Other qualifications based on training education and experience may also be appropriate

Certification and documentation Certification must be done by a professional engineer who is licensed to practise in British Columbia

The certification document must state the following

bull The equipment is safe for use

bull The structural mechanical and control elements of the equipment have been inspected in accordance with the manufacturerrsquos specifications and the requirements of the applicable design and safety standards

The certification document must also state the names of the qualified person(s) who carried out the inspection work

Regulation requirements For requirements related to annual inspection and certification of mobile cranes or boom trucks see the following sections of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and its related guidelines (available on worksafebccom)

bull Section 1471 Annual inspection

bull Sections 142(1) and 142(5) Standards

bull Section 14161 Certification following misadventure

bull Guideline G1471 Mobile crane and boom truck annual inspections

Applicable standards bull CSA Standard Z150-1998 Safety Code on

Mobile Cranes (CSA Communities account required for access)

bull ANSI Standard ANSIASME B305-2004 Mobile and Locomotive Cranes

bull ANSI Standard ANSIASME B3022-2005 Articulating Boom Cranes

For more information BC Association for Crane Safety (BC Crane Safety)

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